Neutral and Free

Despite the rhetoric of some preachers and politicians, there
are hopeful signs that public schools finally may be beginning
to get it right about religion. Once promoted, then ignored altogether,
religion could at long last find its rightful place in public
education.

What can Christians reasonably expect from their local schools
when it comes to religion? In answering that question, two constitutional
principles come into play. The first applies to the government
(i.e. public schools); the second to students and parents.

The government's posture toward religion should be one of neutrality
among religions and between religion and non-religion. This means
Baptists are not favored over Catholics, nor Jews over Muslims.
It also means believers are not valued over non-believers. The
playing field is level for everybody. That's the key.

Neutrality does not mean ignoring religion or, worse, stripping
it from textbooks, school concerts, and other parts of the curriculum.
Nor does neutrality mean censoring religious viewpoints. Students
should be allowed to express their views-religious or otherwise-in
art projects, classroom discussion, and even in a valedictorian's
speech. In a word, neutrality means fairness-letting the voices
be heard. Parents have the right to expect schools to be fair,
honest brokers, neither promoting nor discouraging religious faith.

Neutrality toward religion should not be confused with neutrality
toward values or character development. Schools can and should
promote strong moral values. And while they may not invoke religious
authority, they should respect and affirm the role that religion
plays in the development of moral character for most families.

Above all, teachers should not suggest to students that values
are merely a matter of personal choice without reference to absolute
truths. Schools must work in partnership with parents to ensure
that we do not undermine what the child is being taught at home.
It is parents, not schools, who have the primary constitutional
authority to control the religious and educational upbringing
of their children.

THE SECOND constitutional principle is the government's obligation
to protect the rights of students to exercise their religion freely,
even in a public school. Students are free to pray alone or in
groups, to read their Bibles, and even to proselytize their classmates
as long as they are not disruptive and do not harass or coerce
others. Teachers and other school employees may not lead, direct,
or participate in such student religious activities.

The recently enacted Religious Freedom Restoration Act requires
public schools to accommodate the religious needs of students
unless there is a compelling reason-such as health and safety-not
to do so. Even then, the school must try to accomplish its purpose
without restricting one's religion if possible.

Those are our rights. Now, what about our responsibilities?

As peacemakers, we have a special responsibility to help divided
communities find common ground. Often, this can occur when school
officials are willing to acknowledge the mistakes of the past
and commit themselves to finding ways to treat religion with fairness
and respect. This may include teaching about religion in the curriculum,
adopting strong programs of character education, implementing
an equal access policy for student religious clubs, and working
to protect the free speech and free exercise rights of students
where possible.

At the same time, parents must admit that the vast majority of
teachers and administrators are hard-working public servants who
have their students' best interests at heart. Certainly, they
are not trying to woo students away from their Christian faith.
By listening to each other and working patiently together, we
can move from battleground to common ground.

OLIVER THOMAS is a Southern Baptist minister and serves as
special counsel to the National Council of Churches. He is co-author
of Finding Common Ground (Vanderbilt University, 1995)
and has worked with more than 300 school districts on issues pertaining
to religion. A version of this editorial appears in the new Sojourners
resource, Recovering the Evangel.

Related Stories

Resources

Like what you're reading? Get Sojourners E-Mail updates!

Sojourners Comment Community Covenant

I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every member of the Sojourners online community, especially toward those with whom I disagree, even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)

I will express my disagreements with other community members' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)

I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)

I will hold others accountable by clicking "report" on comments that violate these principles, based not on what ideas are expressed but on how they're expressed. (2 Thessalonians 3:13-15)

I understand that comments reported as abusive are reviewed by Sojourners staff and are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked from making further comments. (Proverbs 18:7)